Machine for punching checks



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. T. ALDRICH.-

MACHINE FOR PUNGHING CHECKS.

No.367,691. Patented Aug. 2, 1887 (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. T. ALDRICH.

MACHINE FOR PUNQHING GHEGKS. No. 367,691. Patented Aug. 2, 1887.

MV PETERS, Phmo-Lifluogmphnr. Washington, D. C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

J. T. ALDRICH. MACHINE FOR PUNGHING GHEGKS.

N0. 367,691. Patented Aug. 2, 1887.

N, PETERS. PholmLilhcgmphon Washinglan. u.c.

made in one piece.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES T. ALDRICH, OF NOINVIGH, CONNECTICUT.

MACHINE FOR PUNCHING CHECKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 367,691, dated August2, 1887.

Application filed March 18, 1886. Serial No. 195,659.

To all whom it may concern.-

- Be it known that 1, JAMES T. ALDRICH, of the city of Norwich, in thecounty of New London, and in the State of Connecticut, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Punching Checks; andI do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,in which- Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of my improvedcheck-punching machine; Fig. 2, a view in front elevation of the samewith the faceplate of the punch-wheel removed; Fig. 3, avertical'sectional view of the machine, and Fig. 4 a detail perspectiveview of a modified form of die wheel.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of thefigures.

The object of my invention is to provide animproved machine or apparatusfor punching numbers or figures on checks; and to this end my inventionconsists in the machine and the construction, arrangement, andcombination of the parts thereof, substantially as hereinafterspecified.

In the drawings, A designates the standard or supporting'frame uponwhich the various operative parts of the machine are supported. At thetop of the upright portion A of this frame is the forwardly-extendingcylindrical stud 13, upon which is journaled the punchcarrying wheel 0.Such wheel is composed of the gear-wheel G and the short cylinder 0screwed or otherwise fastened at its rear end to the wheel. If desired,the gear-wheel and cylinder can of course be cast or otherwise \Vithinthis cylinder is the central hub-like portion, D, and around this theconcentric forwardly extending flange E, for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed.

To the forward end of the journal-stud B is fastened, preferably bymeans of screws, the plate F, engaging the hub 15, so as to hold thecombined cylinder and gear-wheel in place on the stud.

The cylindrical portion 0 of the punchwheel 0 is provided with theseries of openings 0 c for permitting the outward thrust of the seriesof punches F F, radially arranged (No model.)

within the cylinder and guided at their outer ends in the short hollowstuds ff, surrounding and forming inward continuations of the openings 0c. The inner ends of the punches project through and are guided inopenings in the flange E. The series of punches, eleven in number, are,as usual, adapted to punch, re spectively, a cipher, a dollar-mark, andthe unit figures from one to nine, inclusive. A spiral spring, G,surrounds each punch and bears at its outer end against the inner faceof cylinder 0, and at its inner end engages the pin g, passing throughthe punch. \Vith this construction each punch is normally kept pressedinward by its spring, so that the pin 9 engages the flange E, and theouter end of the punch is a little below the periphery of the cylinder.To keep the punches from possibility of turning, each pin 9 extendsrearward and engages a radial groove, g, in the face of the cylinderend. XVith this construction, while the punches are free to be moved inand out, they cannot be rotated axially, so as to get theirfigure-cutting outer ends out of proper relation to their appropriatedies, to be described hereinaftcr. The inner ends of the punches arecupped or concaved, as shown, for the proper engagement of the shortplunger I, pivoted to lever K. Such lever passes axially through thejournal-stud B on the frame, and is pivoted thereto at k. The openingthrough the stud is formed so as to allow suitable vertical movement ofthe lever on its pivot to bring the plunger I into engagement with apunch end and force the punch downward a sufficient distance.

Obviously any one of the punches desired can be brought by rotation ofthe punch-wheel into position below plunger I, to be properly operatedthereby when the lever K is depressed.

To insure the bringing of the punch into exactly the right position, Ihave provided the punch-carrying wheel with a front faceplate, L, havinga central opening through which the lever K passes, and around suchopening provided with the series of radial notches Z Z Z, eleven innumber, adapted to be engaged by the downwardly-extending lug It on thelever when said lever is dcpresscd.

ICO

Each of said notches is in line with one of the punches. The lower endof lug 7c is preferably rounded or made inclined on both sides, so as tobe wedge-shaped. Vith this construction, if the punch-carrying wheelshould not be turned so as to bring the punch exactly in line with theoperating-plunger on the lever or exactly in the plane of the movementof the lever, the lug engaging one side or the other of the notch in theface-plate will turn such plate, and consequently the punch-wheel, so asto bring the notch and the punch into exactly the proper position.

The lever is so pivoted as to have-some motion before the plungerstrikes the punch, and it is during such first part of the movement ofthe lever that the lug will act upon the notch in the face-plate toproperly position the punch, as described above, if the punchw-heelshould not be turned just right to bring the punch into its properoperative position. To keep the lever K normally elevated with its shortplunger I above the path of the inner ends ofthe punches, I provide thespring M, situated within the passage through the journal stud B andengaging a recess, m, in the lever.

If desired, instead of making each radial notch Z with its sidessubstantially parallel, I contemplate making the sides of the slots neartheir inner ends flaring toward the center of the plate to facilitatethe proper turning of the face-plate and wheel by the lug, if thewheel-should not be turned exactly right before the lever is operated.The outer portions of the notches Zlare preferably to have straight andparallel sides, as shown, so that the lug It will engage both sides ofany notch and hold the plate and wheel stationary while the leverdescends and forces the punch downward.

On the faceplate is a series of division or index marks, Z ZZ,-corresponding with the central lines of the notches Z I, and each ofthese marks is provided with a figure marked on the plate indicatingwhich one of the punches is in line with or in the same plane with suchmark;

On the upright A of the franie is a second journal-stud, N, verticallybelow stud B, already described. Such stud N is cylindrical and hollow,and upon it is journaled the rotary die, carrying wheel 0, preferablymade up, like the punch-wheel, of two parts-a gearwheel, O,and acylinder, O -screwed or otherwise fastened together. As suggested withreference to the punch-wheel, this die-wheel can, if desired, be made inonepiece. cylindrical portion 0" of this wheel has the hub 0 surroundingand journaled on the stud N. The gear-teeth on the die-wheel mesh, as

shown, with those on the puneh-wheel, so that both must rotate togetherand an equal amount.

In recesses in the cylindrical portion 0* of the die-wheel are placedthe dies 0 o 0, corresponding in number and relative position with theouter ends of the punches carried by The the punch-wheel. As the twowheels are geared to rotate together an equal amount, the dies areplaced the same distance apart as .the punch-holes in the punch-wheel.

To cause the proper corresponding die to be brought up into positionbelow the punch to be operated, the arrangement of the dies for thedifferent figures and dollar-mark is the reverse of that of the dies. Asthe wheels rotate in opposite directions as the punch-wheel is turned bygrasping it with the hand or talc ing hold of one or more of thehandle-studsP P on'the face-plate L, and the punches are broughtsuccessively into operative position below the lever, the correspondingdies will also be brought successively below the lever into position toact with their respective punches.

The dies can be attached or fastened to the die-wheel in any desiredway. In the drawings I show them fastened by means of washers engagingthe inner face of the cylindrical portion of the wheel and passingthrough the cylinder-wall into the dieplates.

To prevent the check or other paper from being raised or lifted as thepunch rises, I providethe stripper-plate It, extending between thecylindrical portion of the punch and die-wheels and in close proximityto the periphery of the former. Such plate has an opening for the punchto pass down through, and is provided with an upturned point, r,extending up in front of the face-plate, so as to act as an index .orpointer in connection with the numbered marks on the plate. It will thenindicate not only when a punch is brought into operative position, butwhat punch is in such position. This plate It is attached to theframeupright A, and, extending in between the punch and die wheels, iswidened and slotted to permit the gear-teeth of such wheels to properlymesh with each other.

iVithin thejournalstud N and an extended bearing in the frame-upright isjournaled the shaft S, carrying on its forward end the rotary cylinderT, constituting a revolving feed-table or carrier for the check to bepunched. This feed-cylinder is of substantially the same diameter as thedie-wheel, so that as a check is held thereon with the portion to bepunched projecting in between the die and punch-wheels and below thestripper-plate such portion will lie smoothly upon the surface of thedie-wheel, being bent or curved to correspond with the curvature of suchsurface, and as the feedwheel is revolved will be fed evenly andsmoothly along.

To properly and con venientlyhold the check upon thefeed-wheel,IprovidetheholderU, having the two arms a a, adapted to restflat upon the peripheral surface of the wheel or upon a check placedthereon. These arms, which, when down in holding position, aresubstantially parallel with the axis of the cylinder forming thefeed-wheel, are a distance apart somewhat greater than the spaceprobably to be taken up by the figures to be punched in the check. Thesearms are attached to or formed in one piece with the plate U.

On the front face or end of the feed-wheel cylinder are the two lugs orcars a it, between which fits and plays the slotted lug a on the plateU. Through such ears and through slot 10 in the lug passes the pin a.Pirotcd on this pin outside of the cars is the loop or short yoke 16',and connecting this yoke with a stud or screw, it, on the plate U is thespring u tending always to pull the stud it toward the ears, and so movethe plate U that the inner end of the slot in its lug is in contact withthe stud a. The end of the lug then projects beyond the pivot-pin, so asto lock the holder from swinging by engaging the side of the feedwhcel,as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

In order to swing the holding-arms a a u p and back from the surface ofthe feed wheel or cylinder, the plate U is drawn outward longitudinallyagainst the stress of the spring until the outer end of the slotin thelug u engages the pivot-pinto". Thecornerofthelugisso rounded thatsaidlug can then beswung outward on the pin as a. pivot. If, new, acheck be placed on top ot'the feed cylinder or wheel and the holder beswung inward to bring the holdingarms a a over the check, the spring adwill draw the holderdown, so as to cause the arms a u to bear firmly andsquarely upon the check, so as to clamp it closely to thesurfaceofthefeed-wheel. As the holder is positively lock ed against being swung awayfrom the feedwheel until it has been raised a certain distance, asalready herein described, the power of the spring is simply exerted topress the arms an down upon the check.

To rotate the feed-wheel intermittingly, so as to properly feed thecheck along to leave the desired spaces between the figures punched, Iprovide means whereby the feed-wheel will be driven from theoperating-lever K during the first part of each downstroke thereof andbefore the punch is struck and operated by the plunger I on the lever.On the rear end of shaft S is fixed the wheel V, dished or having theannular flange 1) around its periphery. Journaled on the shaft is thepivot sleeve or hub V of the lever V". On the lower side of this sleeveis the projection o having its front face substantially in line with thecenter of motion of the sleeve. From the rear side of the sleey e therigid arm c extends backward and downward.

Resting against the forward or front face of projection v" is the upperend of the bar which has near its lower edge the recess or notch 20, toloosely receive the flange 1; of the wheel V, as shown in the drawings.This notch or recess has square edges, in order to grip the flange whenthe bar is swung out of its normal position parallel with the front faceof the projection c" and so parallel to a radius of the wheel V. Aspring, \V, attached shown in Fig. l.

to the arm a and to the lower portion of bar XV on its rear side, servesto keep the bar normally pressed with the rear side of its upper endsquarely against the forward face of projection 0 as shown in Fig. 2.The upper end of the bar then rests against the pivot sleeve or hub Vofthe lever V and the forward edge of the upper side of the notch orrecess 20 is in contact with the inner side of the flange v. Vith thisconstruction, if the upper end of the lever be swung to the left, theprojection 011 the lever-hub will bear the upper end of the bar XVforward until the sides of recess '10 therein bind against the sides ofthe flange '0. Further movement of the lever will then move the bar andflange 22 together toward the right, thus causing the wheel V, andconsequently the feed-wheel, to rotate in the direction indicated by thearrow in Fig. 2. Upon swinging the lever in the other direction thespring V returns the bar V to its original normal position, the notchslipping over the flange on wheel V as the bar swings back. The upperend of the lever V is provided with the slot 1)", inclined upward ataslightangle from its left-hand side or end and then turned and extendingupward. The rear end of lever K engages and plays in this slot and ispreferably inclined on its upper side, as shown, so as to act best inconnection with the inclined upper side of the slot '0. \Vhen this rearend of the lever K is depressed, as it normally is by the action of thespring M upon the lever, it bears upon the inclined lower side of slot'0", and consequently throws and holds lever V normally in the positionIt, now, the lever K be depressed to actuate a punch, as hercinbeforedescribed, duriug the first part of its movement and before the punch isactuated, the rear end of the lever, bearing against the inclined upperedge of the inclined portion of slot vflwill throw the upper end oflever V over to the left, so as to turn the feed-wheel a sufficientdistance through the friction-pawl mechanism described above. By thismovement of lever V the upright portion of the slot will be broughtabove the rear end of lever K, so that such end is free to swing upvertically to allow the punch-actuating end to descend and force the p u11 ch do w n ward Obvionsly,inst.ead of the form of connection betweenthe feed-lever and the feed-wheel shaft shown and described, any of thewellknown frietioirclutch or ratchet-and-pawl mechanisms can be used forthe same purpose without departure from my invention.

\Vith the feed-lever slotted and engaging the end of lever K, as shownand described, obviously there can be no failure in the automatic feed,and the motion of the feed-wheel to feed the check along properly mustbe completed before a punch is operated, because the rear end of thelever K cannot rise sufficiently to let the plunger on the forward partofthe lever strike and actuate the punch until ICO .pass before reachingthe die.

the vertical part of slot o comes over such rear end of the lever, andat that time the swing of the feed-lever is completed.

The arms at u of the check-holder Ihave found to be sufficient to holdthe check down smoothly and firmly upon the feedwheel periphery.-Between them I contemplate, however, when desired, stretching a flexiblestrip, X, preferably of elastic material. This strip pressing upon thecheck between the arms supplements their action and aids in keeping theportion ofthe check between the arms smoothly down upon the feed-wheelsurface. An ordinary elastic band placed over the arms, as shown in Fig.1, can be used to advantage. IVhere the strip is not elastic, it shouldhave sufficient length between the arms to allow the arms to bear firmlyupon the check, while being short enough to also bear thereon throughoutthe space between the arms.

If desired, the die-wheel can, as shown in Fig. 4, be provided with aseries of plates or shields, y 3/, extending forward over the dies, eachone of such plates being provided with an opening. through which thepunch is to The punch engaging the sides of the opening will then insurethe bringing of the die into exact position below the punch end.

In case of defect in the geanteeth or play between the teeth on thepunch and die wheels arising from wear or inaccuracy .in their make,these guard-plates will always correct the position of the die beforethe punch reaches it. I find, however, with my machine made as alreadyhereinbefore described the meshing gears of the punch and die-wheels caneasily be so made that there is no need of these guard-plates with theirguiding or centering openings. Where such plates are used, thecylindrical portion of the diewheel in which the dies are seated is madeof less diameter in order that the check can be easily introduced undersuch plates and between them and the die-carrying surface.

If desired, I contemplate providing the feed-cylinder with asuitably-closed opening, through which the small bits of paper punchedfrom the checks can be removed. As, however, such bits or pieces arevery small, no clearing out would be necessary for an indefinitely longperiod, as the accumulation of bits of paper within the die-wheel and-feed-wheel could obviously interfere in no way with the working of myapparatus.

The operation of my machine is, briefly,as follows: The holder or clampis raised and then swung back. The check to be punched is then placed onthe feed-wheel with the part to be punched between the punch anddiewheels, and the holder is swung up again to bring its holding-armsover the feed-wheel surface. The spring a then draws the holder quicklydownward, as described hereinbefore, so that the holderarms press uponand clamp the check firmly against the feed-wheel periphery. Thepunch-wheel is then rotated to bring the figure on the face-plate whichcorresponds with the figure which is to be punched around to the indexpoint. The punch-actuating lever is then depressed and the figure ispunched in the check. The punch-wheel is then rotated again to bring theproper punch .for the next desired figure into operative position. Asthe actuating-lever is depressed, its rear end,rising and engaging theinclined portion of the slot in the pawllever, throws such lever over acertain distance, thus revolving the feed-wheel and feeding the checkalong before the punch is operated. The feed is thus made automatic andpositive, so that there is no danger of punching the figures too neartogether, and is completed before the action of the punch, so that thereis no danger of binding or tearing. Obviously the feed-wheel is free tobe turned forward by the hand as desired in bringing the requisite partof the check below the punch. The pawl mechanism described admits suchturning freely. The punch-wheel and consequently the die-wheel with itare free to be rotated in either direction, except when theactuating-lever is depressed to actuate a punch, when both wheels arelocked in position by the engagement of the lug or stud on the leverwit-h one of the radial notches in the faceplate.

Obviously my punching machine constructed, arranged, and operating asshown and described can be used to advantage for punching other thingsbesides checks, the punches and dies being changed or altered,asdesired, to suit the purpose for which the machine is to be used.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim is- 1. In acheck-punching machine, a rotary wheel,in combination with the series ofradially-movable punches carried thereby, adapted to punch differentnumbers or marks, and the movable supporting-surface for the cheek be--ing punched, provided with the series of different openings to act inconjunction with the punch ends, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

2. In a checlcpunching machine, in combi nation with the punch-carryingwheel and the series of radiallyarranged punches carried thereby, thepivoted lever extending axially through the wheel and adapted to engageand operate the punches as they are successively brought below it by therevolution of the wheel.

3. In a check-punching machine, in combination with the punchearryingwheel and the series of radially-arranged punches thereon, springs forholding the punches normally retracted within the wheel, and a leverpassing through the center of the wheel within the circle of travel ofthe inner ends of the punches as the wheel revolves, provided with meansfor engaging and forcing outward any one of the punches brought intoline with it by the rotation of the wheel, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

4. In combination with the rotary punchwheel and the series of radiallyarranged punches carried thereby, a plate carried by the wheel, providedwith a central opening and with theradial notches around such opening,the punchaetuating lever extending axially through the wheel,and theopening in the plate, provided with a lug or projection adapted toengage one of such notches when the lever is moved to actuate one of thepunches, substantial] y as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In combination with the punch-wheel carrying the series ofradiallyarranged punches, the face-plate provided with a central openingand with radial notches around such opening corresponding in locationwith the punches on the wheel, the lever extending through the wheel andplate, provided with means for engaging any one of the punches broughtbelow it by rotation of the wheel,'and the projection to engage thenotch corresponding with such punch, substantially as and for thepurpose de' scribed.

6. In combination with the rotary punchcarrying wheel and a platecarried thereby, provided with radial notches, the puneh.opcratinglever, and a projection on the same to engage the notches in the plate,havingits engaging end rounded or inclined on opposite sides,substantially as and for the purpose shown.

7. In a check-punching machine. in combination with a suitable frame andthe journalstud thereon, the rotary punch-wheel, the series of radialpunches carried thereby,the faceplateprovided with the series of radialnotches, the lever pivoted to the journal-stud, provided with thepunchactuating piece or plunger, and the notch-engaging lug,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In combination with the rotary punchwheel carrying the series ofradially-movable punches, the rotary diewheel geared thereto andcarrying the series of dies corresponding to the punches, substantiallyas and for the purpose described.

9. In combination with the rotary punchwheel carrying the series ofpunches, and the die-wheel geared-to the punch-wheel and can rying theseries of corresponding dies, the le ver adapted to actuate each punchas it is brought into line between the axes of rotation of the twowheels, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a machine for punching checks, in combination with rotary feedtable or wheel and the punch operating lever, connecting mechanism,substantially as described, be tween the lever and the feed-table,whereby the latter is moved during the first part of the motion of thelever before the punch is reached and actuated, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

11. In combination with the feed -clutch lever provided with the slothaving one portion inclined upward at an angle and its other portionvertical, the punch-actuating lever engaging such slot, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

12.111 combination with the punch-actuating lever ofa punching-machine,the feed-1ever provided with the slot, of which one portion extends inline with the motion of the punch-lever and the other portion is at anangle thereto, the rotary feed-wheel, and connecting mechanism betweensuch wheel and the feed-lever, substantially as and for the purposeshown.

13. In a check-punching machine, in combination with the punchingmechanism, the movable fcedtable and a clamp to hold the cheek downthereon, substantially as and for the purpose described.

14-. In combination with the rotary feedtable, the clamp or holderprovided with the two arms adapted to press down upon the table atdifferent points with relation to the direction of travel of the table,substantially as and for the purpose shown.

15. In a cheek-punching machine, in combination with the die-wheel, therotary feedtable alongside the same, and a holder provided with two armsadapted to engage a check at different points and hold it smoothly downupon the table, substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. In combination with the rotary cylindrieal feed-table, the holderconsisting of the plate or bar having the holding-arms and the slottedlug, the ears on the side of the feedtable, the pin passing through suchears and the slot in said lug, and the spring adapted to draw the holderso as to bring its arms down upon the table, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

17. In a eheclcpunching machine in combination with the die-wheel andthe punchwheel geared therewith, provided with the face-plate marked toindicate the positions of the different punches carried by the wheel,the stripper extending between the wheels, and at its forward end turnedup to form an index-point, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this12th day of February, 1886.

JAMES T. ALDRICH.

Vi tnesses:

LAWRENCE Cox, SAML. N. SHREVE.

